故宫有哪些知识点？

　　前言：2019年的冬天带着家人去北京旅游，参观了举世闻名的故宫。但是让人尴尬的是，自己对故宫的了解太少了，也无法向家人介绍出所以然。即使知道一些皮毛，也无法用浅显易懂的英文表述，就只能让大家人手一个讲解器。几年过去，偶然在图书馆看到一本《故宫秘境》，决定好好读完，并且梳理知识点。

　　《故宫秘境》是由尚君义编写，在2006年出版。整本书不仅有作者在不同季节和气候里拍摄故宫的照片，还有与之相关的历史故事。并且所有的文字都以英文翻译，适合中外读者在参观故宫前好好品读一番。

　　我们不仅听说过南京有故宫，而且在沈阳台北都有故宫。那他们有什么区别呢？

　　南京故宫又称明故宫，旧称紫禁城。始建于元朝，明朝洪武帝(朱元璋)称帝第25年（1392年）基本完工，前后历时二十六年，布局依《周礼·考工记》中载“左祖右社、面朝后市”为原则。即“建造一座九平方里的都城,每边开三个门。城中纵横各九条道路,路宽可供九辆车并行。王宫左边是祖庙,右边是社稷,前面是朝廷,后面是市场,各占地一百步见方。”

　　沈阳故宫，又称盛京皇宫，位于辽宁省沈阳市沈河区，为清朝初期的皇宫。1625年天命十年，清太祖努尔哈赤迁都沈阳,称盛京，始建于此。建成于清太宗爱新觉罗·皇太极，清崇德元年（1636年）。共经历努尔哈赤、皇太极、乾隆三个建造时期，历时158年。

　　台北故宫，又称中山博物院。成立于1962年，1966年开放。1948年底，原故宫文物2972箱分3批运往台湾省。

　　这本书拍摄的是北京故宫，中国最大的古代文化艺术博物馆。首先介绍了两座很重要的门，然后以空间的顺序介绍了故宫的布局，和在这些地方发生的16个小故事。

　　· The Gate of Divine Prowess

　　神武门门楼上设有钟鼓，每日黄昏后钟楼鸣钟 108 响。皇宫的后门，也是宫内日常出入的重要门禁，皇后、妃嫔们出入紫禁城均走此门。

　　The Gate of Divine Prowess is the north gate of the Forbidden City in the Ming Dynasty, the Gate of Mysterious Prowess. The gate has three openings in the middle and a tower built on its platform. The east and west sides of the gate lead to the palace wall and the left and right horse pathways. There are a drum and a bell on the gate tower. Every day the bell would be rung 108 times. As the back door of the imperial palace, the Gate of Divine Prowess was important for the daily entry and exit of the empress, consorts, and concubines.

　　· The Meridian Gate

　　午门为紫禁城的正门，居中向阳，位当子午，故名午门。城台上建有五座楼阙，故又有“五凤楼”之称。午门正中开三门，两侧各有一座按门。中门是专供皇帝出人的“御道”。文武官员出人东側左门，宗室王公出人西侧右门，贡士进宫参加科举殿试时，走两侧掖门。午门上正楼两侧设有钟鼓亭，祭祀太庙则击鼓，宫中举行隆重活动时则钟鼓齐鸣。午门是明清两朝举行重要典礼的场所。每年腊月初一，皇帝要在午门举行领布次年历书的 “领湖”大典。

　　遇有重大战争，军队凯旋时，皇帝亲御午门城楼，举行隆重的仪式，接受“献俘礼”

　　Positioned as the front entrance to the Forbidden City, the Meridian Gate faces south, which is matched with the time of noon in the ancient Chinese FengShui theories, hence the name. There were five towers erected on the platform of the gate, which earned it the name of "Five Phoenixes Tower."

　　The central opening was exclusively dedicated to the imperial use. As for the two openings beside the central one, the eastern one was for the passing of officials and generals while the western one for the princes and imperial clansmen.The other two were only opened for the Dianshi, the successful candidates for palace examination, to pass for the final ordeal.

　　On the two sides of the gate platform are erected pavilions of bell and drum. Whenever the emperor was present at the altar temples for the sacrificial ceremonies, the bell was rung. For the ceremonious activities held in the palace, both the bell and drum were struck.

　　The Meridian Gate was where the important stately ceremonies were held. On the first day of the lunar New Year, the emperor would hold the Grand Calendar Ceremony, when the new calendar for the coming year would be issued.

　　On occasions of the imperial army's homecoming after a major military triumph, the emperor would be present on the platform of the Meridian Gate for the grand ceremony of receiving prisoners of war to display his power.

　　With the three halls of Supreme, Central, and Preserving Harmony as its main buildings, the Outer Court was an important site for the emperors to hold grand ceremonies and take care of political affairs.

　　· The Gate of Supreme Harmony

　　太和门是外朝宫殿的正门，也是紫禁城内最大、等级最高的宫门，建成时称奉天门。太和门两侧各设一门，东为昭德门，西为贞度门。门前有宽阔的广场，内金水河自西向东蜿蜒流过，河上建有五座单孔汉白玉雕栏石桥。大和门是明朝皇帝“御门听政”之处，在此接受臣下的朝拜和上奏，颁发诏令，处理政务。

　　As the main entrance to the Outer Court, the Gate of Supreme Harmony, is the largest palace gate to the Forbidden City, and of the highest ritual order too. It was originally named as Fengtianmen, when first completed.

　　To the east of the Gate of Supreme Harmony is Zhaodemen,whereas to the west is Zhendumen. In front of the gates is a big open square, where there are five single-arch stone bridges with carved marble railings on the Inner Golden Water River winding its way from west to east.

　　The Gate of Supreme Harmony was the imperial gate where the Ming emperors gave audience to their ministers, heard reports on the state affairs, and issued imperial edicts.

　　· The Hall of Central Harmony

　　皇帝在太和殿举行大典前，会在中和殿里小憩，接受各部官员的朝拜。皇帝亲祭坛庙前，在此阅视祝文，以表诚敬。祭先农坛亲耕仪式之前，皇帝也会在此查验种子与农具，以示真切。

　　Before the grand ceremonies held in the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the emperor would take a break here and give audience to the officials of the ministries. Before his presence in the altar temples for the sacrificial ceremony, the emperor would read the sacrificial address to show his sincere awe. Before the plough ritual in person, the emperor would examine the seeds and farm tools to show the authenticity.

　　· The Hall of Preserving Harmony

　　保和殿的东西两侧为暖阁。明代举行册立皇后、太子典礼前，皇帝在此穿戴衮冤，以示隆重。清代每年除夕，皇帝在此赐宴外藩、王公及大臣。这里也是清代科举殿试的场所。

　　The east and west sides are warm chambers. In the Ming Dynasty, before the conferring of the empress or crown prince with the imperial edict, the emperor would change into full ceremonial attire to show solemnity. In the Qing Dynasty on each lunar New Year's Eve, the emperor would offer banquet to the kings of vassal states, feudal princes, and ministers. This hall was also the venue of the palace examination in the Qing Dynasty.

　　The Inner Court was the residence of the emperor, the empress, the imperial consorts and concubines, and other members of the imperial family.

　　· The Gate of Heavenly Purity

　　乾清门门前有鎏金铜狮子一对，两侧列鎏金大铜征。门东边有九卿值房，西边为军机处。门前有狭长的广场，广场东西两端为景运门、隆宗门。是连接内廷与外朝的重要通道，也是清代皇帝御门听政的地方。

　　A gate styled into a hall, the Gate of Heavenly Purity, is the front entrance of the Inner Court. On the front of the gate there are a pair of gilded bronze lions, with a pair of huge gilded bronze vats on both sides.

　　On the east side of the gate is the office house for officials on duty, whereas on the west Junjichu. In front of the gate is a long and narrow square, on the east and west sides of which are respectively Jingyunmen and Longzongmen, the gates of Prospering Fortune and Flourishing Posterity. This gate is an important pathway connecting the Inner Court and the Outer Court.

　　· The Palace of Heavenly Purity

　　乾清宫是内廷后三宫的正宫。宝座上方悬“正大光明”。东西两侧间为穿堂，可通后宫。殿前宽敞的丹陛露台上，左右分别有铜龟、铜鹤、日晷、嘉量，前设香炉四尊。乾清宫周国建有庑房，为日常办事机构。明朝和清初乾清宫是皇帝的寝宫，后为皇帝处理政务、赐宴、皇帝驾崩停放灵枢的场所。 清雍正朝后，秘密立储的建储匣便存放在 “正大光明”匾后。

　　Above the throne hangs a horizontal plaque with an inscription of four Chinese characters Zheng Da Guang Ming meaning "fair and square." On the east and west sides are pathways leading to the rear palaces. On the spacious terrace before the palace are bronze tortoises, bronze cranes, sundials, grain measures standing in pairs on the both sides while in the front there are four incense burners. Around the palace there are peripheral rooms as offices for daily business.

　　The Palace of Heavenly Purity was the emperor's sleeping chamber during the Ming and early Qing dynasties, which was later changed to the venue for the emperor's dealing with state affairs, holding feasts and banquets, as well as the parking venue of the deceased emperor's coffin before burial. After Yongzheng's reign, the secret edict of determining the Crown Prince was, as a rule, put in a box, which was hidden behind the horizontal plaque.

　　· The Imperial Garden

　　御花园占地 11700 平方米，分布着20 余座玲珑别致、疏密合度的各式亭台楼阁。160余株松、柏、竹、藤古树与奇石盆景散布全园，形成了佳木葱郁、四季常青的皇家园林景观。园内甬路以彩色卵石铺砌而成，构成妙趣无穷的各式图案。御花园是皇帝、后妃游赏、祭祀、颐养、读书的场所，是紫禁城内最大、最完整的宫廷花园。

　　The garden occupies an area of 11,700 square meters. The garden has more than a dozen pavilions, terraces, and towers with unique, exquisite design and elegant spacing. The garden is spotted with more than 160 pines, cypresses, bamboos, rattans, and potted rockeries, forming a landscape of a luxuriant, ever-green imperial garden. The paths in the garden are paved with colorful pebbles, with more than 900 different patterns full of wit and imagination.

　　The Imperial Garden, the biggest and most well-preserved court garden in the Forbidden City, was where the emperor, empress, consorts and concubines came for sightseeing, sacrificial ceremonies, relaxation, and reading.

　　· The Palace of Earthly Tranquility

　　坤宁宫殿内正室七间，是明代皇后的寝宫。清代改建后，是萨满教祭祀的地方。殿东两间为暖阁，是帝后大婚的洞房。

　　The main hall is seven bays wide, which was once the sleeping chamber for the Ming empresses. After having been rebuilt in the Qing Dynasty, the palace became a main sacrificial site for the Manchu Shamanism. On the east side of the hall were two warm chambers, which were used as bridal chambers for the grand wedding ceremony for the emperor and empress.

　　· The Palace of Abstinence

　　斋宫位于东六宫之南。皇帝祭祀天地及祈谷、祈雨典礼前，在此新戒三日。斋居期间，不作乐，禁饮酒，忌辛辣。

　　The east warm chamber is a study room, while the west warm chamber a hall for worshiping the Buddha. The emperor had to stay on fast for three days in the Palace of Abstinence before winter solstice, when the emperor was required to hold a ceremony of paying offerings to the Heaven and Earth, and praying for a good rainfall and harvest. During the fast, he was supposed to eat no meat and nothing pungent or spicy, drink no alcohol, and have no entertainment.

　　· The Hall of Ancestral Worship

　　奉先殿是明清皇室祭祀祖先的家庙。凡遇朔望、万寿节、元旦、冬至及国家庆典等，皇帝会来自到奉先殿举行祭祖活动。凡遇已故皇帝、皇后圣诞、忌辰及元宵、清明、中秋等节日，皇帝要在后殿摆供肉食果蔬等。

　　The Hall of Ancestral Worship was the shrine for the imperial family to worship its ancestors in the Ming and Qing dynasties. On the festivities like the first and fifteenth day of each lunar month, the emperor's birthday, New Year's Day, winter solstice or celebration ceremonies of the empire, the emperor would personally come to this hall to pay offerings to the imperial ancestors.

　　On occasions of the birthday or death day of the late imperial couples and festivities like Lantern Festival, Tomb-Sweeping Day, and Mid-Autumn Festival, the emperor would burn incenses and pay tribute to the spirit tablets, with food offerings like meat, fruits, and vegetables.

　　· The Hall of Mental Cultivation

　　养心殿正间设御案、宝座，上悬雍正皇帝御笔“中正仁和”。东间的暖阁原为皇帝起居、召见臣工之所，清晚期改为垂帘听政处。西间的暖阁则分隔为数室，是皇帝处理日常政务的地方，有乾隆皇帝珍藏墨宝的三希室，有单独召见大臣的密室，还有皇帝供佛、读书、休息的数间小室。

　　Its official front hall and rear sleeping hall are connected by a corridor. The front hall is three bays wide. In the middle bay there are an imperial throne and a desk, above which there is a calligraphic plaque bearing four Mandarin characters of Zhong Zheng Ren He, meaning "be impartial and benevolent" which is Emperor Yongzheng's handwriting.

　　The east warm chamber in the east bay used to be where the emperor lived and met his ministers, which was in the later Qing period changed into a place for the empresses to hold court behind a screen. The west warm chamber in the west bay was partitioned into several rooms, including an office of the emperor where he took care of the daily political business, Sanxitang, the Room of Three Rarities, where Emperor Qianlong treasured up his rare ancient calligraphic masterpieces, a secret chamber for the emperor to see his ministers in private, and several small rooms for the emperor to worship the Buddha, read, and rest.

　　（一）崇祯皇帝

　　明思宗朱由检是明朝第17任皇帝，亦是清朝入关前最后一任明朝皇帝，年号“崇祯”。明朝末期当时有很多矛盾，李自成为主的农民起义，满清逐渐壮大的势力等等。我感觉像古文中常说到的“气数已尽”“无力回天”。

　　书里主要讲了魏忠贤如何在客氏帮助下，排除异己，专断国政。朱由检的哥哥朱由校在位时，对魏忠贤极受宠信，还被称为“九千九百岁”。朱由校没有子嗣，朱由检继承皇位，改元崇祯，上位第一件大事，就是就铲除了权宦魏忠贤及其势力。

　　* 客氏？女人在古代只能是把夫姓作为称呼，全名都没有。她十八岁就是朱由校的乳母；得宠后，宫中大小事务，都由客氏掌管；王公臣卿，大半是客氏的党羽；对食魏忠贤；残害打压妃子和皇子；安排怀孕的宫女进入后宫，以冒充熹宗子嗣等等。她一路开挂，站在权力的顶端，但最后被被活活笞死。

　　* 知乎有个有趣的提问，“如果你穿越了，拿到了崇祯皇帝的剧本，你要怎么守住明朝？”

　　（二）午门廷杖

　　开始的廷杖，不过是古代君王用以警戒臣下的一种形式，充其量是象征性的责打。被杖之人穿上厚棉衣裤，再垫上毡子，不会太疼。其中告诫的成分要多于惩罚，不会给受杖人造成太大的人身伤害。后来宦官刘瑾主持廷杖时要受杖人褪下裤子裸露屁股，则是要予这些大臣肉体痛苦的同时，加上精神上的羞辱。

　　明代廷杖的规矩，是由太监监刑，锦衣卫当场逮捕，并在午门中央甬道的东侧行刑拷打，然后下“诏狱”等候处决。到了清代，这种不得人心的廷杖制度逐渐被废止。仅以示告诫教训，受者没有皮肉之苦，更无性命之忧。

　　* 有很多问题关于明朝皇帝有多奇葩，多放飞自我。明朝中后期的皇帝们权力不够集中，身边宦官臣子权势太大，腐败很严重，但文官敢说，史官敢写，在明朝流传着很多听上去很魔幻的民间轶事、佛教道教故事、神话传说等等。

　　（三）顺治皇帝太和门定鼎燕京

　　福临六岁登基，改元顺治，由叔父睿亲王多尔衮摄政。书中简单地讲了努尔哈赤和皇太极给清军入关创建了一个夯实的基础，摄政王多尔衮对清王朝的贡献，顺治亲征后，也采取一系列措施，削弱和打击其他势力，集大权于一身。

　　* 顺治年少登基，多尔衮和皇太后扶持，亲政后集中皇权，重视汉化，废皇后，册封董鄂氏为皇贵妃，剃发钻研佛法，生病早逝。他短短一生，活得真像话本。

　　（四）雍正皇帝继位，疑窦丛生

　　书中主要讲了清世宗爱新觉罗·胤禛参与的九子夺嫡，当时康熙皇帝的儿子有24个，其中有9个参与了皇位的争夺。大阿哥胤禔是康熙的庶长子，想谋夺储位，最终囚禁26年后病逝。康熙二度废太子嫡子胤礽，后一直被囚禁。雍正继位，地位稳固后，削了八阿哥胤禩的爵位，逼其改名为“阿其那”，最终惨死狱中。十三阿哥胤祥是雍正的支持者，雍正即位后，封胤祥为和硕怡亲王，并任总理事务大臣，处理重要政务。雍正帝同母弟胤禵，却是八阿哥的支持者，所以雍正登基后将软禁于景陵，直至乾隆帝弘历即位后，胤禵才恢复了自由。

　　雍正为防止再出现兄弟间争夺皇位的惨剧，从此实行秘密建储制度，不再公开设立太子，而是由皇帝用汉文与满文写的诏书，并放置于乾清宫正大光明匾额。皇帝自己也私备一份，待皇帝驾崩后，由御前大臣取出两份遗诏，当场对照无误后，才能宣布继承人。

　　* 四爷党还是八爷党？电视剧爱演康熙诸子的爱恨情仇，观众百看不厌。书中提到“建储匣”，乾隆、嘉庆、道光、咸丰四帝，都是按此制度登上宝座的。到了清代后期，由于咸丰皇帝只有一个儿子，同治和光绪皇帝都没有儿子，这种秘密立储的办法才失去其意义。

　　（五）溥仪三岁太和殿登基

　　光绪三十四年，溥仪三岁即帝位，由其父摄政。清朝末代皇帝。书中主要提到慈禧夺取政权，垂帘听政，而溥仪作为傀儡三度称帝。小时候看过电影《末代皇帝》，对清末最后一个皇帝印象很深，溥仪退位后还写书，算是历史一绝了，经历大清皇朝的终结，见证了新中国的成立。

　　（六）保和殿的殿试

　　科举考试开始于隋朝，完善于唐朝，宋元进一步发展，清代科举取士，沿袭明代的制度。科举考试必须以四书五经命题，取四书及易、书、诗、春秋、礼记五经命题，谓之制义。考试内容也承明制，用八股文。士子作答时，必须依照题义，揣摩古人的语气，“代圣人立言”，不许发表个人见解，时称“制义”，俗称“八股”。科举史上的殿试是唐朝创立。明清殿试后分为三甲：一甲三名赐进士及第，通称状元、榜眼、探花；二甲赐进士出身；三甲赐同进士出身。

　　* 明清时期，科举制由三级升为四级：童试、乡试、会试、殿试。殿试的阅卷颇有特色，由8位阅卷官阅卷，但不是每人阅八分之一，而是每人阅全部。阅后在试卷上判出等级，一共五个等级："○"、"△"、"\"、"1"、"×"。最后，将“○”最多的10本呈给皇上，皇上从中选出第一甲一、二、三名，即为状元、榜眼、探花。

　　（七）康熙帝乾清门听政

　　御门听政这一制度虽从顺治帝时就已存在，但康熙皇帝是清朝统治者中御门听政最勤快的。康熙帝自从14岁亲政以来，几乎天天上早朝，在位61年，有50多年在此御门听政。书中说了几个故事突出康熙帝勤政求实，《康熙起居注》作为记录康熙帝言行最为原始的文献，包括皇帝上谕、官员奏及君臣对话等记载。

　　* 网上有很多关于康熙的奏折批改，爆笑的“垃圾奏折”。比较印象深刻的是，‘送芒果’、‘朕安’和‘不必来’。

　　乾清宫正殿的一副对联“表正万邦，慎厥身修思永；弘敷五典，无轻民事惟难。”要作为所有人的表率，要长久的修身自省，谨慎行事，要谨记圣人的传统，并且还要时刻想着百姓的苦难。“弘敷五典”即宣扬圣人礼法、使得父义、母慈、兄友、弟恭、子孝。另外一副“克宽克仁，皇建其有极；惟精惟一，道积于厥躬。”能宽容仁爱，是治国最大的准则，只有精心一意，治国之道才会聚集在你身上。

　　（八）宫婢之变

　　书中主要讲了明世宗嘉靖皇帝崇尚黄老之道，修仙问道，听信方士之言，炼制丹药，需要处女经血。为了大量炼制丹药，嘉靖皇帝四处搜罗13、14岁的少女，收集她们的经血，强制这些年轻的少女们在经期只能喝点露水度日。宫女们终于忍无可忍，杨金英等十数名宫女乘明世宗熟睡之际，用黄绫布把世宗的脖子套住，企图杀死世宗，但因打了死结，缢不死世宗。其中一个胆小的宫女因害怕，报告给方皇后。方皇后赶到，将宫女们制服。最终，涉事宫女全都被凌迟处死。

　　* 先秦诸子百家中以老庄思想为代表的学派，或战国秦汉之际盛行的黄老之学。他们在思想理论上都以“道”为最高范畴，主张尊道贵德，效法自然，以清净无为法则治国修身，处理人与自然之间的关系，因此被称作道家。“道教”，则是一种宗教实体。顾名思义，“道教”的意思即“道”的教化或说教，或者说就是信奉“道”，通过精神形体的修炼而“成仙得道”的宗教。道教是唯一发源于中国、由中国人创立的宗教。

　　明代皇室对道教很崇奉，极大地传播和推广了道教，建立了一整套完整的传统宗教崇拜与祭祀礼仪体系，其中最重要的是天神、人鬼、地祗。其中天神指日月星辰、风师、雨师等。地祗指社稷、五帝、山川五岳等。人鬼则是皇考及历代帝王。清朝皇室奉藏传佛教，清朝推崇佛教，对道教采取了严格的防范和抑制的政策。

　　（九）光绪帝大婚

　　书中讲了光绪不敢违背慈禧的意愿，最终选了慈禧的亲侄女为皇后。叶赫那拉·静芬是慈禧太后之弟都统桂祥之女，为光绪帝的表姐，溥仪继位后尊为隆裕太后。而礼部左侍郎长叙的两个女儿封为珍妃和瑾妃，瑾妃后病逝，1900年慈禧西逃前将珍妃投井杀害，年仅24岁。

　　* 咸丰帝的皇后钮祜禄氏，是清代晋升速度最快的继后，由嫔到皇后仅花了40天，如果从行册立礼来算也仅花了六个月。咸丰帝驾崩后，慈安与慈禧在养心殿开始垂帘听政。“二宫垂帘，亲王议政”期间，慈安和奕訢与慈禧之间都有矛盾，奕訢多以支持慈安压制慈禧，慈安也多倚重和信任奕訢，无形之中，奕訢和慈安形成一种联合力量，来共同对付慈禧。慈安死后，形势大变，慈禧不再受约束，其党羽势力大增，她对奕訢也就不再顾忌了。

　　明朝选妃，首先必须是嫡出，庶出则不能列入采选之列。除了家世品性好，颜值也要高，对身体条件则更为苛刻。自太祖朱元璋立国后，规定后妃从民间良家选出，严禁后妃外戚干政。明朝皇帝的妃子的亲戚没有强大的势力，对皇权形成不了威胁。

　　清朝选妃真的是不看颜值，只看地位。清朝皇室是满族，他们的族人被分为八旗和内务府包衣三旗。首先看秀女是否在旗，妃子和福晋只有八旗的秀女能参加，内务府包衣的三旗只能是宫里的宫女。其次看门第，清朝明确规定公爵、将军之女才能封为妃位，而像知府员外郎的女儿只能是嫔。满清王朝时满族有八个显赫的姓氏，分别是佟佳氏，瓜尔佳氏，马佳氏，索绰罗氏，赫舍里氏，富察氏，那拉氏和钮祜禄氏。其中那拉氏有四大家族，分别是叶赫那拉氏、乌拉那拉氏、哈达那拉氏和辉发那拉氏。清朝很多皇后就是叶赫那拉氏一族。

　　（十）顺贞门行刺案

　　书中讲述有刺客躲在顺贞门的隐秘之处，见到载着嘉庆的轿子，突然举刀冲上前去，行刺嘉庆，但最终失败被捕。官员反复刑讯四天四夜后，问不出任何线索，刺客行刺仅是个人行为，与他人无关，嘉庆只得传旨将陈德凌迟处死，两个儿子也一并处以绞刑。

　　（十一）垂帘听政

　　慈禧1852年入宫，赐号兰贵人，次年晋封懿嫔。生皇长子爱新觉罗·载淳（同治帝）后，晋封懿妃，次年晋封懿贵妃。咸丰帝驾崩后，慈禧与慈安，恭亲王奕訢形成“二宫垂帘，亲王议政”的格局。同治帝崩逝，光绪帝载湉继位，两宫再度垂帘听政。慈安太后去世后，恭亲王也随即被罢免，慈禧开始独掌大权。光绪帝驾崩，慈禧选择3岁的溥仪作为新帝，她自即日起被尊为太皇太后。

　　（十二）权倾后宫的奴仆

　　朱由校常年沉缅于声色犬马之中，饮“仙方灵露饮”，以求长生。朝廷由魏忠贤与客氏专权，制造了很多冤狱，残酷迫害企图改良明朝政治的东林党人。

　　* 其实说是魏忠贤和客氏一手遮天，还不如说是皇帝昏庸无能。魏忠贤无家庭背景，无兵权，如果没有皇帝的支持，他实际上什么也不是。明熹宗朱由校封乳母客氏为奉圣夫人，任其在后宫胡作非为，迫害后妃，残害皇嗣等。外廷则让她的对食魏忠贤专制夺权，排除异己。明朝末期官僚贪婪，朝廷亏空，百姓穷苦，倭寇猖獗，自身矛盾重重。

　　而朱由校史称“文盲皇帝”，每天就捣腾木工，与客氏悖逆人理，养男宠好男色，荒废朝政，恣心纵欲。有这么一个皇帝，即使不是魏忠贤或客氏，也会是其他人。

　　（十三）纪淑妃饮恨永寿宫

　　万贞儿四岁时就被选入明朝宫廷，一开始是孝恭孙皇后的宫女。长大后，被派遣至东宫去服侍当时还是皇子的朱见深。当明宪宗十八岁即位时，万贞儿已经三十五岁，37岁的万贞儿生下皇长子，晋封为皇贵妃，但是一年后，皇子夭折。纪氏为蛮族土官的女儿，明宪宗朱见深征讨蛮族，纪氏被俘虏后入了宫廷，进京后授为女史，警敏通文字，得宪宗之宠有了身孕。万贵妃命宫女去给纪氏坠胎，但宫女太监不忍残害子嗣，谎报说是病痞。让其子潜养，隐匿消息，直至6岁才被朱见深接回宫中，封为太子，纪氏封为纪淑妃，移居永寿宫。但是不久，纪淑妃暴薨。

　　（十四）皇极殿千叟宴

　　千叟宴是清代宫廷中举行的规模最大、参加人数最多的盛宴，始于康熙时期，盛于乾隆朝，嘉庆朝以后不再举行。康熙和乾隆皇帝各举办了2次千叟宴，宴请从天下来京师为自己祝寿的老人。千叟宴的举行，反映了清代所提倡的“养老尊贤”、“八孝出悌”和优老政策，是清统治者在政治上笼络民心，有维护朝廷统治的作用。

　　（十五）慈禧太后痴迷戏曲

　　书中主要讲了慈禧看戏有很多避讳。比如她属羊，那《变羊记》《苏武牧羊》《龙女牧羊》等等这些经典剧目一律不能看，唱词里有“羊”字也不能说。史料记载，在11年时间里，爱追剧的慈禧太后在戏楼子里总共看了262天次的戏，最多的一年当中达到了40天次。

　　（十六）珍妃之死

　　1900年八国联军兵临北京城下。慈禧决定携带光绪等一行人出走西安。慈禧担心珍妃年轻惹出是非，以时局纷乱为借口，因命太监崔玉贵将珍妃推入井中溺毙。光绪帝独宠珍妃，冷待隆裕皇后，慈禧与珍妃关系日渐不和。但是她违反宫闱禁忌，卖官受贿，恃宠而骄，干政，支持光绪帝变法，才让慈禧憎恨，将其处死。